Award Management
Managing sponsored projects involves a collaborative effort between the Project Investigator, the department, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP), and Research Accounting.
Getting Started
Merrimack College is passionate about supporting our research-focused faculty from proposal to conclusion. Your Contract and Grant Specialist will set up your award in conjunction with Research Accounting. A new research index will be generated and shared with you along with an overview of the important elements of your award. These details will be included on an internal document called the Fund Requirements. Please review both the award terms and conditions and also the Fund Requirements. It is ultimately the PI’s responsibility to remain compliant, meet deliverables, and spend funds in accordance with College and sponsor regulations, policies, and requirements.
Managing Your Award
The Principal Investigator or Program Director (PI/PD) is responsible for controlling project-related expenditures and ensuring costs remain within the budget amount awarded by the sponsor, as well as adhering to any specific terms and conditions documented in the grant award letter. While the grant accounts are monitored by the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP), it is the responsibility of the PI/PD to ensure the accuracy of both the budget and expenditure information throughout the duration of the sponsored grant activities.
Budget & Spending Guidance
Costs must be:
- Reasonable – necessary to perform the project, consistent with the way similar charges are handled, related to an action and/or in an amount deemed within the norms of business conduct (i.e., the “prudent person” test)
- Allocable – incurred solely to advance the work funded by the grant (or allocable to more than one grant or college activity in proportions that can be approximated using “reasonable” methods)
- Consistent – the cost must be treated in the same manner (i.e., as either a direct or indirect cost) when used in like circumstances
- Allowable – must not be designated as “unallowable” under federal cost principles (see Table 1 for the allowability of selected expenses), must adhere to agency-specific policies and award-specific terms and conditions; must follow college policies regarding the specific cost item
Effort Reporting
Each PI/PD whose work is supported by a federal or state grant must sign a Time and Effort Report certifying the amount of time and effort devoted to each sponsored (grant-funded) project and institutional activity.
Managing Your Award
Whether you are a seasoned researcher or just beginning, Merrimack College has support for your research journey.
Budget & Spending Guidance
Effort Reporting
Payroll
Travel
Outgoing Subawards
End of Award
The College is usually required to submit final reports to the sponsor when a project is completed. The types of reports and the level of detail required will depend upon the sponsor and the terms of the award.
End of Award
Merrimack College is passionate about supporting our research-focused faculty from proposal to conclusion.
